Editing Compound bow (section)

==Comparison to other bow types==
{{More citations needed|section|date=January 2017}}

===Technical advantages===
[[Image:2013 FITA Archery World Cup - Women's individual compound - 3rd place - 04.jpg|thumb|[[Albina Loginova]] at women's individual compound 3rd place, [[2013 FITA Archery World Cup]], Paris, France.]]
* The function of the cam systems (known as the 'eccentrics') is to maximize the energy storage throughout the draw cycle and provide let-off at the end of the cycle (less holding weight at full draw).  A traditional recurve bow has a very linear draw weight curve - meaning that as the bow is drawn back, the draw force becomes heavier with each inch of draw (and most difficult at full draw).  Therefore, little energy is stored in the first half of the draw, and much more energy at the end where the draw weight is heaviest.  The compound bow operates with a different weight profile, reaching its peak weight within the first few inches of the draw, and remaining more flat and constant until the end of the cycle where the cams "let-off" and allow a reduced holding weight.  This manipulation of the peak weight throughout the draw (accomplished by the elliptical shape of the cams that change leverage and mechanical advantage) is why compound bows store more energy and shoot faster than an equivalent peak weight [[recurve bow]] or [[longbow]].
*The design of the cams directly controls the acceleration of the arrow. What is termed a "soft cam" will accelerate the arrow more gently than a "harder" cam. Novice archers will typically shoot a soft cam whereas a more advanced archer may choose to use a harder cam to gain speed. Bows can be had with a variety of cams, in a full spectrum from soft to hard.
*Some pulley systems use a single cam at the bottom of the bow and a round idler wheel at the top of the bow instead of two identical cams. This design eliminates the need for a separate control cable and instead uses a single long string that begins at the cam on the bottom of the bow, travels over the wheel on top, and back to the bottom cam. A separate buss cable then connects the bottom cam to the top limb.
*When a compound bow is drawn, the limbs are pulled in toward each other by the cables, unlike a longbow or recurve where the limbs flex in the direction of the bow string.  This difference allows modern compounds to have limbs that are closer to horizontal instead of angled.  The horizontal, or "parallel" limb configuration minimizes the recoil and vibration felt by the shooter when the arrow is released, as the forces going upward at the top limb and downward at the bottom limb cancel each other out.
*The pulley system will usually include some rubber-covered blocks that act as draw-stops. These provide a solid "wall" that the archer can draw against. These draw stops can be adjusted to suit the archer's optimum draw-length, which helps the archer achieve a consistent anchor point and a consistent amount of force imparted to the arrow on every shot, further increasing accuracy.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.betteroutdoors.net/blogs/news/112054150-video-tutorial-2016-pse-draw-length-adjustment|title=Video Tutorial: 2016 PSE Draw Length Adjustment|website=betteroutdoors.net|access-date=7 April 2018|archive-date=7 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180407115945/https://www.betteroutdoors.net/blogs/news/112054150-video-tutorial-2016-pse-draw-length-adjustment|url-status=dead}}</ref>

===Technical disadvantages===
* The relatively larger number of moving parts requires additional maintenance and creates more potential points of failure.
* [[Dry fire#In archery|Dry firing]] is more likely to damage or destroy a compound bow due to the greater amount of energy stored and released.
* Unlike traditional bows, draw length and let-off adjustments as well as string or cable replacements often require a bow press, a specialized tool used for compressing the limbs to take tension off the cables and string.
* Drawing a compound bow with just the fingers increases the likelihood of torquing the bowstring, which could derail it from the cams. The use of a mechanical release-aid is often required to avoid this.
* Usually heavier than recurves and longbows.

===Circumstantial advantages===
* Compound archers often use a mechanical release aid to hold and release the string. This attaches to the bowstring near the point where the arrow attaches, the nocking point, and permits the archer to release the string with a squeeze of a trigger or a slight increase of tension. The use of a release aid gives a more consistent release than the use of fingers on the string as it minimises the arrow oscillation which is inevitable when the bowstring is released directly from the fingers.
* In tournaments, competition rules for compound archers allow bows with a sighting system, consisting of a "[[Iron sight#Aperture sights|peep sight]]" held within the bowstring that acts as a back sight, however front sights attached to the riser are allowable in other classes.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://worldarchery.org/Rules|title=Rules World Archery - see Chapter 11|website=betteroutdoors.net|access-date=8 April 2018}}</ref>  Some front sights are magnifying and/or adjustable for targets at different distances.  Some sights have multiple "pins" set up for targets at different distances.
* In archery tournaments governed by [[World Archery]], compound archers are permitted to use bow sights that incorporate magnifying lenses or prisms. These "magnified sights" enhance the archer's ability to aim by enlarging the target face, providing a clearer view of the scoring zones. Additionally, such sights may include features like windage and elevation adjustments and leveling devices to aid in precise aiming. However, all components must be non-electric and non-electronic to comply with equipment regulations. <ref>{{Cite web |title=Rulebook {{!}} World Archery |url=https://www.worldarchery.sport/rulebook/article/793#:~:text=11.2.3.1.,disturb%20other%20athletes. |access-date=2025-05-30 |website=www.worldarchery.sport}}</ref> 

===Circumstantial disadvantages===
*The relatively low holding weight of a compound bow compared to a recurve bow makes the compound more sensitive to certain shooting form faults when the archer is at full draw. In particular, it's easier for the archer to torque (twist) the bow around the vertical axis, leading to left-right errors, and also a plucked or snatched release can have more effect.